Urban Forest Plan

1. Update the previous Master Street Tree Plan to include park trees and promote an increase in the overall canopy, including trees not managed by the city.

Thus, Alameda’s Street tree plan will become the Urban Forest Plan. (The 2010 Master Street Tree Plan can be downloaded here.) The City desires to have an equal distribution of canopy cover, and will prioritize tree planting and establishment care resources to communities that have a higher social vulnerability and pollution burdens and low canopy cover.

2. Develop a forward-focused plan and policies based on the needs of the City.

The newly updated Urban Forest Plan will guide the City’s operations and activities, including expanding and maintaining the tree canopy, for the next 10 years.

3. Develop the financial and human resources necessary to effectively manage the urban forest and implement the UFP.

The City currently employs one full-time arborist within the Public Works Department for tree planting, removal, and maintenance. Other staff in ARPD and AMP are devoted part time to tree related work. The Plan will propose future staffing and contracts, effective organizational structures, and recommend funding tools for a proactive Urban Forest Program.

October 2022

• The city enters into an agreement with Dudek to develop the Urban Forest Plan

January 2023

• January 21 | Pop Up Event: Bohol Circle Immigrant Park Opening
  
• Online Survey Opens
  

February 2023

• February 4 | Pop Up Event: Storytelling and Drumming Festival

March 2023

• Online Survey Closes

April 2023

• April 15 | Pop Up Event: Spring Shindig and Tree Sapling Giveaway

May 2023

• May 20 | Urban Listening Session: Upper Washington Park Recreation Center 9:30-11am

January - February 2025 (estimated schedule)

• Public Review Draft comment period
• January 16 | Recreation and Parks Commission
• January 27 | Public Utilities Board and Planning Board
  
• week of January 27 | Open house public workshops
• February 4 | City Council study session
• February 6 | Historical Advisory Board

Spring 2025 (estimated schedule)

• Final Draft Urban Forest Master Plan
• City Council adoption hearing

The City of Alameda appreciates our connections with community organizations that help us advance the urban forest plan and increase citywide tree canopy. 

Some of the organizations currently involved in tree planting, giveaways, and community outreach are:

• 100K Trees for Humanity
• Alameda Backyard Growers
• Alameda Rotary Club
• Ploughshares Nursery
• Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda
• REAP Climate Center

We are always looking for more community partnerships and ways to increase canopy cover. Individuals who would like to make a difference in Alameda should consider joining one of these organizations as they are a great way to get involved with others passionate about climate action.

• 2010 Master Street Tree Plan Volume 1 and Volume 2
• Urban Forest Management - Public Works
  
• 2040 General Plan
• Green Infrastructure Plan
• 2019 Climate Action and Resiliency Plan
• The Response of the Shallow Groundwater Layer and Contaminants to Sea Level Rise in Alameda 2020 report

Expanding Alameda's urban forest will take all of us! Please find the following resrouces to help get you started planting a tree on your own property.

Climate suitable tree species for Alameda

Tree maintenance best practices:

• Tree planting(PDF, 1MB)

• Establishment care(PDF, 1MB)

• Watering guidelines(PDF, 1MB)

• General tree pruning(PDF, 1MB)

• Pruning to improve young tree structure(PDF, 315KB)

The City of Alameda's Public Works Department plants and maintains trees in sidewalk wells and in the public right of way.

To request a street tree or report tree damage, please submit a service request under the category Trees (Street Trees).